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Staten Island Man Arrested For Alleged Animal Abuse

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Officials arrested a Staten Island man on Saturday for allegedly starving and neglecting to seek medical attention for a 1-year-old female Chihuahua.

Humane Law Enforcement agents of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrested 36-year-old Tino Garuccio after an investigation revealed that Garuccio allowed the animal’s medical condition to deteriorate while watching the animal for its owner.

On Sept. 16, ASPCA Agent Ann Kelly responded to a complaint of a neglected dog with an untreated eye injury and took the dog to ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, according to society officials.

As the animal was treated, the society launched an investigation into the incident. Investigators found that Garuccio was responsible for the dog from Aug. 5 to Sept. 16.

Garuccio failed to take care of the dog’s ulcerated right eye, according to the ASPCA. ASPCA veterinarians determined the dog was in pain, dehydrated and emaciated as a result of starvation.

Garuccio, a bus driver, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and he faces up to one year in jail, if convicted.